Probably there will be other interesting headphones that I don't know yet.

Which headphones do you use and why would you recommend them? I’m very interested in your experience!

I appreciate your answers, thank you very much!t

P.S.
At the moment I use Marshall Headphones while traveling because they are quite small when folded.
But I don’t like the pressure on my ears (on ears) and I’m afraid that they are not the best for mixing.

I know most of the Headphones above are quite big for traveling. I’m afraid that there are no smaller alternatives on the market, or?

Comments

The Sennheiser 600 HD, although a great pair of headphones, are probably not a good choice because they are open backed. You will annoy the hell out of everyone around you with the sound leakage when travelling. Also no good for tracking vocals, or similar, for the same reason. I tried a pair of Focal Spirit Professional Headphones recently that i really liked. Closed back & almost noise cancelling , felt really comfortable & sounded great. Half the price of the Sennheiser's .

EDIT: The Focal Spirit Professionals have been discontinued & replaced by the Focal Listen Professionals.

I have a pair of Sony MDR-7506 phones - I've been buying these since the early 90's and they are a studio standard. I also use a pair of Status Audio CB-1 cans that I REALLY like, but others here have had different experiences with.

I’ve got the Sennheiser HD380’s - nice flat sound, no coloring that I detect. Been using them on mixes since the EP before last very happy with them. Full over ear, closed back, come with a nice adapter and if needed parts are replaceable. $149.

I would have a followup question on the matter actually. Is there any good headphones which don't put some pressures on the ears themselves? Cause I am using glasses and I get my ears hurting after a while. I would like to find some good headphones which don't sit on the whole ear if it's possible.

@Norbert said:
I would have a followup question on the matter actually. Is there any good headphones which don't put some pressures on the ears themselves? Cause I am using glasses and I get my ears hurting after a while. I would like to find some good headphones which don't sit on the whole ear if it's possible.

Same here! I wear glasses too!
I also look for a comfortable headphone as well! I think it is my most important criteria besides the soundquality. That’s why I prefer OverEar Headphones...

a (half) open AKG 701/712 isn't that cool for travelling... unless the folks around you share your musical taste. These are effectively small loudspeakers

With the exception from Audiotechnica your list represents 3 different sound preferences:
the AKG, Beyer and Sennheiser 'prototype'
If you're used to one, it will probably influence your future choice(s) forever.
For the simple fact that adapting yourself to the choosen cans is a (long term) rather deep learning process. You can work with any of those - for a similiar price they deliver similiar results, but each with a specific soundprint. Which you've learned to compensate over time so for you the cans act 'neutral'.

As far as I'm concerned I'm totally tuned to AKG's classic models, which ended with the 1st generation of the K701.
Starting with the 2nd release (only indicated by a black package versus the former grey-green design) they became more Harman, less AKG (simplified bottomline).

The main difference: the old series is totally analytic, which can be annoying for some (potential) customers.
So they improved bass response by a simple piece of cellotape that sealed an internal section... (which former was a common mod by hifi freaks)
As you may guess: the new generation sounds much more 'pleasing' and it wasn't a quality loss in any way.

The old version was frequently critized for it's lack of bass response - there was no boom at all, but a very precise low end (I used to play bass through K501s).
K701s rule on all acoustic instruments, vocals, Jazz, Rock, Country, Ambient (for their precise soundstage), general synths - but they lack impact on deep/sub bass (if you're after monitoring a club result).
But it's possible to predict the result (with some experience) if you mix such a track on 701s.

ps: the AKGs are very (!) comfortable to wear, no problems using them for hours.
btw all types (AKG, Beyer, Sennheiser) mentioned feature exchangeable ear-pads over a long period of time as spare parts.

I think they sound really good - though I prefer to mix on my old HHB Circle 5 monitors. I think the ATH 50 might be slightly over emphasised in the bass and treble - but it's no big deal.. you get used to the tonal response that you're using regularly after a while.

I do find they grip my head a little too tightly... perhaps this is because they are still fairly new - I seem to be able to cope with wearing them for longer periods now than when I first got them. Had them on for nearly two hours making rough mixes yesterday and only felt slightly head squished.

@icsleepers said:
I’ve got the Sennheiser HD380’s - nice flat sound, no coloring that I detect. Been using them on mixes since the EP before last very happy with them. Full over ear, closed back, come with a nice adapter and if needed parts are replaceable. $149.

I love these headphones (probably the fifth or sixth different kind I have owned in my life and I am sticking with this model now) and do wear glasses with them but my choice of glasses have super flat arms. Not interested in blocky hipster specs.

But yah over the past six years I have replaced the foam pads twice, likely from wear due to glasses.

As for comfort they are AMAZING for me. I can and do use them from morning till night (at least 10+ hours, (8 working, 2 commuting, +more at home)) and have no ear fatigue anymore.

Those soft foam pads will wear out though. Tis the price of super comfort.

@Telefunky Said:
With the exception from Audiotechnica your list represents 3 different sound preferences:
the AKG, Beyer and Sennheiser 'prototype'
If you're used to one, it will probably influence your future choice(s) forever.

@Telefunky
Thanks a lot for your very interesting post! Very helpful!
I own a Beyerdynamic DT 381 for a very long time now, since two years also an DT 770 PRO so i think I understand what you mean. I mentioned the AKG because I’ve heard they play in the same league as the Beyer Dynamic.

Again, thanks a lot for stopping by and sharing your experience!
Very much appreciate! 😊

I’ve had the HD-600 for over 20 years. Changed the cable twice, but they still sound amazing. On the MacBook they get really loud, but on the iPhone they only go up to a reasonable safe listening volume. Look after your ears, especially if you love music.

I think they sound really good - though I prefer to mix on my old HHB Circle 5 monitors. I think the ATH 50 might be slightly over emphasised in the bass and treble - but it's no big deal.. you get used to the tonal response that you're using regularly after a while.

I do find they grip my head a little too tightly... perhaps this is because they are still fairly new - I seem to be able to cope with wearing them for longer periods now than when I first got them. Had them on for nearly two hours making rough mixes yesterday and only felt slightly head squished.

I came across the ATH 50 because they are mentioned in some other threads here in the forum.

Few days ago I went in a local music store to try them out. I also felt that they are quit tightly on my head. After testing a few others for comparison I liked the sound but maybe it was too much bass in the sound. Anyway, after 45 minutes I went out and I didn’t bought anything. It’s quite difficult to choose the right one. 😎

My AKG 240 bit the dust after many years, and I discovered that the company had been sold and the quality is suffering. I considered the Sony MDR7506 until I found out it doesn't have a detachable cord. So I kept looking until I found.out that the Status Audio CB-1 is increasingly considered by many to be one of the best studio headphones under $100. There are a ton of YouTube videos about them.

@Reid said:
My AKG 240 bit the dust after many years, and I discovered that the company had been sold and the quality is suffering. I considered the Sony MDR7506 until I found out it doesn't have a detachable cord. So I kept looking until I found.out that the Status Audio CB-1 is increasingly considered by many to be one of the best studio headphones under $100. There are a ton of YouTube videos about them.

Another Sony MDR-7506 recommendation from me. It travels very well (even folds up a little), it’s built well, and it even comes with a list of every single part down to every plastic tab etc in case something needs replaced. You’ll also hear stories about people having pairs of them that last 20+ years. I’m no expert on what frequencies it might exaggerate, but I think it is not exactly completely flat but really pretty flat considering they are headphones and are under 100USD.

Also, someone said something about needing headphones that are comfortable while wearing glasses. I wear glasses and find them quite comfortable. I forget they are on if the cable isn’t getting in my way for one reason or another. My only other experience with headphones are some lower end AKG and some Tascam and they are all now in a headphone graveyard with broken connections that are a serious pain solder new ones on.

@Reid said:
My AKG 240 bit the dust after many years, and I discovered that the company had been sold and the quality is suffering. I considered the Sony MDR7506 until I found out it doesn't have a detachable cord. So I kept looking until I found.out that the Status Audio CB-1 is increasingly considered by many to be one of the best studio headphones under $100. There are a ton of YouTube videos about them.

Status Audio does no marketing and sells their headphones direct from their website. They claim they can provide higher quality at a lower cost by eliminating the middleman.

There's a 30% off sale going on now. You can return them within 30 days.

Hi @Reid ! Many thanks for your suggestions! 👍
It seems that the CB-1 can be a interesting headphone, so I visited their page to have a look. But I’m afraid it can be to difficult to buy and returning them if I’m not happy with them. I’m in Germany and Status Audio is an US Company so i think it’s not the easiest way to buy them... 😎

@chandroji
I used the Focal Spirit Professionals for a few years, but the headband developed cracks, which was a pretty common problem. To their credit, Focal replaced them with another pair, which also developed the same cracks. Focal then sent me their newest closed back headphones, called Focal Listen Professionals. To my ears, they are very flat and detailed. They are also much more comfortable than the Professionals, fold up, and come with a nice travel case.

@Proppa said:
Sony MDR-7506. Swear by them and can get a mix down to little or no frequency surprises when A/B'ing with true (speaker) monitors.

@DMan said:
Another Sony MDR-7506 recommendation from me. It travels very well (even folds up a little), it’s built well, and it even comes with a list of every single part down to every plastic tab etc in case something needs replaced. You’ll also hear stories about people having pairs of them that last 20+ years. I’m no expert on what frequencies it might exaggerate, but I think it is not exactly completely flat but really pretty flat considering they are headphones and are under 100USD.

Also, someone said something about needing headphones that are comfortable while wearing glasses. I wear glasses and find them quite comfortable. I forget they are on if the cable isn’t getting in my way for one reason or another. My only other experience with headphones are some lower end AKG and some Tascam and they are all now in a headphone graveyard with broken connections that are a serious pain solder new ones on.

@icsleepers said:
I’ve got the Sennheiser HD380’s - nice flat sound, no coloring that I detect. Been using them on mixes since the EP before last very happy with them. Full over ear, closed back, come with a nice adapter and if needed parts are replaceable. $149.

I love these headphones (probably the fifth or sixth different kind I have owned in my life and I am sticking with this model now) and do wear glasses with them but my choice of glasses have super flat arms. Not interested in blocky hipster specs.

But yah over the past six years I have replaced the foam pads twice, likely from wear due to glasses.

As for comfort they are AMAZING for me. I can and do use them from morning till night (at least 10+ hours, (8 working, 2 commuting, +more at home)) and have no ear fatigue anymore.

Those soft foam pads will wear out though. Tis the price of super comfort.

@supanorton said:@chandroji
I used the Focal Spirit Professionals for a few years, but the headband developed cracks, which was a pretty common problem. To their credit, Focal replaced them with another pair, which also developed the same cracks. Focal then sent me their newest closed back headphones, called Focal Listen Professionals. To my ears, they are very flat and detailed. They are also much more comfortable than the Professionals, fold up, and come with a nice travel case.

Focal’s customer service has been absolutely incredible for me.

Useful info about the Focal Spirit Professionals. They gave me a pair to use in GAK the other day & completely failed to mention any problems with them. Just checked Gearslutz & lots of posts about this problem on there. Did they fix the problem, or is it still an issue?